Green Zebra Offers Upscale Vegetarian
Sometimes, you have to question great reviews about pricey restaurants. Is the food really that good, or did the patron (after seeing the bill) hype up the food in order to convince himself that it was worth it? At Green Zebra, there's no wondering. From atmosphere to flavor, you get your money's worth and more.
This contemporary spot (around the corner from Relax Lounge) immediately sets a tone of sophistication with woven mats and soft yellow-green walls. Helpful and knowledgeable servers attend to diners seated at the banquettes that fill the room. The menu is primarily vegetarian, though there are a few chicken and fish dishes available.
Vegetarian food often gets a bad rap for either being bland or being doused with overcompensating spices and dressings. Fortunately, the tasting menu here offers plate after plate of delicious flavor. Portions are small and best shared intimately between two diners. You and a friend (or a date?) will very likely order five to seven dishes during the experience.
The menu is divided into three sections, evolving from lighter to heartier dishes. Ingredients include produce provided by local farmers, and the menu changes seasonally. Don't be surprised if anything I describe here is no longer available, but you can get an idea of what to expect. Courses (when I visited) included parmesan risotto with sweet peas, poached eggs with smoked potato puree, ricotta gnocchi with eggplant caponata, curried potato pot stickers with cilantro lime sauce, and Hawaiian heart of palm with grapefruit. Top it all off with a lavender macadamia-nut cheesecake or a rhubarb strudal. There are also more than enough wines, champagnes, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages available, along with French press coffees from Intelligentsia.
Green Zebra describes itself as 'high-touch' in a 'high-tech' world, paying special attention to both the guests and the food. In a town known for its meat, this place shows how veggies can be a part of fine dining also.
For more on healthy eating in Chicago, check out The Conscious Kitchen.
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) QuintanaRoo (1, 2)
Green Zebra ($$$): 1460 W Chicago Ave; 312-243-7100
Brunch
Sun: 10:30 a.m. ' 2:00 p.m.
Dinner
Mon ' Thurs: 5:30 p.m. ' 10:00 p.m.
Fri ' Sat: 5:00 p.m. ' 11:00 p.m.
Sun: 5:30 p.m. ' 9:00 p.m.
Street parking, valet available
Public trans: Bus # 9, X9, 66
http://www.greenzebrachicago.com/
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1 opinion for Green Zebra Offers Upscale Vegetarian
Global Food Fixation
Jun 24, 2008 at 12:21 am
[...] The Chicago Traveler: Green Zebra Offers Upscale Vegetarian [...]
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